""The phrase 'well-regulated' was in common use long before 1789, and remained so for a century thereafter. It referred to the property of something being in proper working order. Something that was well-regulated was calibrated correctly, functioning as expected. Establishing government oversight of the people's arms was not only not the intent in using the phrase in the 2nd amendment, it was precisely to render the government powerless to do so that the founders wrote it.""
— "Well-Regulated" Definition
Oxford English Dictionary historical analysis by Brian T. Halonen
Historical Significance
Linguistic evidence showing "well-regulated" meant "properly functioning," not "government controlled"
Context
Scholarly analysis of 18th-century meaning vs. modern interpretation
Context
Scholarly analysis of 18th-century meaning vs. modern interpretation
Historical Significance
Linguistic evidence showing “well-regulated” meant “properly functioning,” not “government controlled”